Objective 3 Pesticide use reduction targets for apesticide-free future

Not just glyphosate

Eurostat, 2014

EU pesticide sales: 400,000,000 kg/year

Pesticides – an unsustainable system

• Biologically active substances

• Designed to cause toxicity in living organisms

Several pesticides are toxic to humans and non-target organisms

Pesticide impact (1)• Humans and farm animals

• Environment and its ecosystems

EU aquatic ecosystems: Risk 42% sites

Malaj et al. (2014)

Forests (Germany):76% insect biomass

Hallmann et al. (2017)

Pesticide impact (2)

Agriculture• Ecosystem services

• Soil degradation/fertility

• Pesticide resistance

• Need for more pesticidese.g. Typical for one season:

oil seed rape (UK): 22 pesticides

Implementing EU lawSustainable use of pesticides Directive

– Pesticides as a last resort (IPM)

– Clear reduction targets

– Monitoring

Not implemented by Member States

Alternatives are available

EU-wide mandatory reduction targets

• Set EU level targets to reduce pesticide use

• Agree goal to phase out synthetic pesticides in the long term

• Support non-chemical alternatives to pest and weed management (farmers support, R&D)